Is facebook really shutting down in 2011?

There are so many skydiving groups on facebook that we reckon facebook has become a 'must-have'  tool to allow us to have the most fun possible while we 'play in the blue fields'. So when we read the articles about the facebook closure in March 2011 we were totally aghast!

It's not clear how it started, but a ridiculous rumor that Facebook is shutting down is spreading fast on social networks.

The hot rumor, as evidenced by Google Trends and gaining traction on Twitter -- says that on March 15, 2011, Facebook will be closing down. Not taking a day off, not undergoing maintenance, but ending entirely.

Arrrgggghhh! Noooo... (summary quote from the team here) Well, at least the facebook team will get some time to vacation and party before the world ends. :)

Facebook users are also concerned. Says one: "Facebook is shutting down on March 15, 2011 for good :) Is there any way we can stop this!?!?" And a group has already started to stop Facebook from shutting down.

Just a day ago, an opinion piece published on CNN said that the recent Goldman Sachs investment was the "beginning of the end" for Facebook. That post went viral with more than 5,000 Facebook "likes" and could be partially to blame for the ensuing panic.

All this supporting evidence and we're not even close to April the first yet! We reasoned that it must be the biggest lead-up to an April-fool trick ever.

On the other hand, maybe it's just a way of getting the pay-service thing nicely (did I really say that word?) onto the discussion agenda again. Hmm, maybe its just a great PR plan to boost stock prices (GS are good at that kind of thing too).

So, skydivers and potential skydivers whatever the reason for this rumor, we reckon it's pretty safe to say that as a site with more than 500 million users and a $500 millon investment from Goldman Sachs recently, Facebook won't be shutting down anytime soon. Hmmm, but if (like us) you skydive, or if you want to go skydiving anytime soon, you'd surely want a reserve parachute on your back wouldn't you? I certainly wouldn't jump without one. Anyone for myspace?